First World War: Then and Now
Pupils developed detailed case studies of 20 former students who served and died on the Somme battlefields in France.
"Pupils were profoundly moved by their learning.”
Alan Garnett, Headteacher for North Primary School, Colchester, Essex
Sixty Year 6 pupils used online resources from the CommonWealth War Graves Commission and Essex Records Office. They visited the Imperial War Museums and looked at the collections of Essex Regiment Museum to gain a greater understanding of conditions on the Western Front.
Twelve pupils visited historic sites on the Western Front, retracing the footsteps of the former students. These pupils created a film, shown at school on the Centenary of the first day of the Battle of the Somme.
The films publicity unexpectedly resulted in the great nephew of former a student, visiting the school to talk about his uncle and to show his death penny, a moving experience for all involved.
The project was led by an enthusiastic team that included dedicated Teachers as well as a project manager, historian, creative writer and film maker - with their costs included within the project budget and paid for through the HLF grant.
The film is available to watch on YouTube.